Crossed-out wheeled bin
A wheeled bin crossed out with an X, printed on electrical and electronic equipment and on batteries. It means the item is to be collected separately, not put in with household rubbish.
How to read it
In the EU, the WEEE Directive defines the crossed-out wheeled bin as the symbol for the separate collection of electrical and electronic equipment, and requires producers to mark their products with it, preferably following the European standard EN 50419. Where the size or function of a product makes that necessary, the symbol goes on the packaging, the instructions and the warranty instead. The Batteries Directive uses the same symbol for batteries. Recycle Now, the UK campaign run by WRAP, explains that it means electrical items are not meant for the household waste bin, and can be recycled through retailers and recycling centres.
Also searched as: crossed out bin, do not throw in trash symbol, WEEE symbol.
The date mark
UK regulations also require equipment to carry a date mark, so that it can be identified as having been placed on the market after 13 August 2005.
On batteries
The same bin appears on batteries, sometimes with the chemical symbols Pb, Cd or Hg beneath it.
Differences by country or standard
The symbol comes from EU law. The UK keeps the same requirement in its own regulations for electrical equipment and for batteries.
Read next
- Next in Recycling symbolsBattery chemical symbols (Pb, Cd, Hg)The chemical symbols Hg, Cd or Pb printed beneath the crossed-out bin on a battery. They show that it contains more than a set amount of mercury, cadmium or lead.
- The same shape in African flagsFlag of BurundiA white diagonal cross divides the flag into red triangles at top and bottom and green ones at the sides, with a white disc in the centre holding three red six-pointed stars. The Presidency of Burundi says the red recalls the sacrifices made to defend the nation and win independence, the green hope and prosperity, the white peace and unity, and that the three stars traditionally stand for the national motto, “Unity, Work, Progress”.
More recycling symbols
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with circles or crosses.
Sources
- Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), Annex IX, Directive 2012/19/EU, Annex IX, legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives), Annex IX
- Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), Article 14, Directive 2012/19/EU, Art. 14, legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives), Art. 14(4)
- The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013, regulation 22, SI 2013/3113, reg. 22, legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives), reg. 22
- The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013, regulation 23, SI 2013/3113, reg. 23, legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives), reg. 23
- Understanding recycling symbols, Recycle Now (WRAP), via the Internet Archive
- Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators, Annex II, Directive 2006/66/EC, Annex II, legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives), Annex II
- The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008, regulation 5, SI 2008/2164, reg. 5, legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives), reg. 5
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed September 25, 2026. How we research
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